With the last day of school coming up fast, Fairfax County Public Library hopes to see more kids cracking open books over summer break, instead of putting them away.
The county library system will kick off its annual summer reading program this Saturday, June 13 with the return of its Children’s Summer Reading Festival, a free event organized by the nonprofit Fairfax Library Foundation.
Changing venues from last year’s festival, which was held at Sherwood Regional Library, the 2026 edition will bring tents of books, games, crafts, food trucks, live entertainment and more family-friendly activities to the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“The festival marks the Foundation’s fourth year hosting the free community event to encourage summer reading among preschool- and school-age children and to prevent learning loss over summer break,” the Fairfax Library Foundation said in a press release.
No advance registration is required for the festival, but those who book a spot via Eventbrite will be eligible to receive a free tote bag while supplies last.
Get Pumped to Start FCPL’s Summer Reading Adventure with the Fairfax Library Foundation Children’s Summer Reading Festival on Friday 📚
There will be games, bounce houses, face painting, food trucks, a photobooth, a D.J., & more!
Reserve a spot: https://ow.ly/rRWT50Z9Tou
— Fairfax County Government (@fairfaxcounty.gov) June 10, 2026 at 11:30 AM
According to the foundation, more than 8,000 children and families have attended the Children’s Summer Reading Festival since it debuted in 2023. The event has also fueled an increase in participation in FCPL’s summer reading program, with signups climbing 60% to a record-setting 23,611 in 2025.
Featuring the dinosaur and archaeology-centered theme of “Unearth a Story,” the 2026 Summer Reading Adventure will launch next Wednesday, June 17 and continue through Aug. 19. Interested kids and adults can already register online, but for readers seeking a more tangible method of tracking their progress, paper logs will be available at local library branches once the program begins.
People who do register through Beanstalk before June 17 will be entered into a drawing for one of 80 $25 electronic gift cards for Scrawl Books, an independent bookstore at Reston Town Center that’s among the program’s sponsors.
As in past years, the adventure challenges participants to earn “badges” by reading or listening to books, and completing different activities, such as attending a library program or checking out an item from FCPL’s ever-growing Library of Things. The activities and number of badges needed to complete the program vary by age group.
Completed logs can be turned in at any of the county’s 22 currently open library branches for coupons provided by program sponsors. Prizes this year include:
Youths
- Children’s Science Center: a free surprise gift
- George Mason Athletics: free ticket to a home basketball game, either the men’s or the women’s team, during the 2026-2027 season
- Victory Comics: free comic book or merchandise credit up to $4.99
- Dave and Buster’s: buy 100 tokens, get 100 free
- Climb Upton: 40% off an All-Adventure Passport
- Fairfax County Park Authority: Free small bucket of golf balls at Burke Lake and Oakmont golf centers, only for juniors aged 6-18
Youths and adults
- George Washington’s Mount Vernon: Free admission
- Fairfax County Park Authority: Free rec center guest pass, free carousel ride
- Rita’s Italian Ice: Free cup of Italian ice for those who register for the business’ mobile app
- Friends of the Library: $2 off books bought at library book sales
- Scrawl Books: Free book priced up to $10 or $10 discount on any purchase
- Old Town Books: 10% discount on any purchase, plus a free sticker
- Potbelly: Free cookie from the Fair City Mall, Fairfax Corner and Reston locations
- River Sea Chocolate Factory: Free mini-sized chocolate bar from the Chantilly or Reston location
- Wendy’s: Free small Frosty
All kids who complete the challenge will also be entered into a drawing for a season pass for a family of four from NOVA Wild in Reston, while teens will also be eligible to win passes from Escape Room Herndon. Drawing winners will be notified by email by Aug. 31.
